Solutions for a Better Tomorrow
Solutions to youth crime must include approaches which require improving conditions where youth live, learn and grow. The Canadian government have taken steps to improving and replacing the current YOA, by proposing the YCJA to be passed through legislation. As of the last election, 2001, this bill was through its second reading and was due for it s third reading in the near future. The YCJA is an excellent means of using alternative programs, or methods to cure the problems of lengthy court proceedings. The harsher, more intense penalties for violent offenders are also a deterrent for repeat offenders, as well as for high-risk youths. Alternatives to youth court proceedings including diversion programs; family-group conferencing, circle sentencing and police warning and formal police cautioning are also very good solutions in comparison to standard incarceration. Reintegration into community services, under supervision is also a very positive alternative that the YCJA is proposing. The need for alternative means is the basis for government officials to recognise the need for alternate ways to deal with young offenders who have a higher chance of not re-offending if they are met with the right punishment for the crime, and at the same time given the opportunity to right the wrongs they have done.
In Conclusion, the answer to this key question of why are the children of tomorrow committing these crimes, and what measures are government organizations, and interest groups taking to deter young peoples and at the same time re-habilitating young offenders was developed in a well organized essay and has given ample proof for the need of alternative methods of deterrence. The proposed Youth Criminal Justice Act in the Youth Justice Strategy shows that the YOA is not meeting with standard needs of the people to provide adequate support in the form of harsher punishments for violent offenders, the awareness of potential violent offenders through publication, and the involvement of the victim and community in the court proceedings through there roles. There roles being either the victim of the crime, and being more involved in the sentencing or apprehension of an offender, or the role of the community that would offer there services to the offender in the form of rehabilitation, rather then in custody.
Bibliography:
1. Stevenson, Kathryn. A Profile of Youth Justice in Canada. Edited by Sandra Besserer. Ottawa: Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, 1998.
2. McCrossin, Scott. Juvenile justice and youth crime in Nova Scotia: a research and discussion paper. [Halifax]: Nova Scotia Youth Secretariat, 1993.
3. Hudson Joe, Joseph P. Hornick, Barbara A. Burrows, editors; with a forward by Herman Litsky. Justice and the young offender in Canada Toronto: Wall & Thompson, c1988.
4. Begin, Patricia. Youth crime, fear and responses. Ottawa: Library of Parliament, Research Branch, c1994.
Articles:
5. National Post; January 20, 2001 Take spotlight off Ontario boy charged with making death threats, group says Canadian Press TORONTO (CP) – Public events that feature a 16-year-old boy who is charged with four counts of uttering threats are not appropriate, says an Ontario teachers’ group
6. National Post; January 19, 2001 Saskatchewan-Girl accuses boy of assault. A 16-year-old girl clutched a teddy bear and wiped away tears as she testified against a 15-year-old boy charged with trying to lure her and two other girls into prostitution. The girl testified the boy got violent when she refused to “go for a walk and get [him] some money … He pushed me, he slapped me, he punched me,
he kicked me in the ribs and then he hit me on the legs,” she said. The boy, who cannot be named under provisions of the Young Offenders Act, faces seven charges.
7. The Daily News, March 11, 1999 Tougher young offenders laws may violate UN children s treaty. Jim Bronskill & Joan Bryden.
Government Documents: New Brunswick, and Ontario Governments
8. http://www.gov.nb.ca/fcs-sfc/younoff.html Abstract: Young Offenders in Open Custody. In accordance with an agreement with the Department of the
Solicitor General, which administers the Young Offenders Act, the Department of Health and Community Service s provides residential and case management services for youths sentenced to Open Custody.
9. http://www.gov.nb.ca/fcs-sfc/prevent.html Abstract: Prevention Program. The Prevention Program aims to promote the development of healthy social
functioning of individuals, families and groups to a level necessary to achieve and maintain independence and to adequately carry out, throughout the life cycle, the key social roles involved in the care of themselves and dependent family members.
10. http://www.gov.nb.ca/fcs-sfc/child/yoa.html Abstract: 3.1.3 Young Offenders Act The Young Offenders Act is criminal law, which applies to young persons between 12 and 18 years of age. Under this legislation, a young person can be charged with any offence prescribed by federal legislation, including the Criminal Code.
11. http://www.premier.gov.on.ca Wed, 19 Jul 2000 News: Replace Young Offenders Act With Law Based On Responsibility: Harris, March 1, 1999 — Premier Mike Harris says the Young Offenders Act should be scrapped and replaced with a new law that makes…
12. Minister of Justice Introduces New Youth Justice Laws. Department of Justice, Government of Canada, Ottawa, March 11, 1999. pages 444-458(2)
13. Young Offenders Act: (s. 2(1)) and (s. 4(1))1985
Websites:
15. http://cbc.ca/news/indepth/taber/
16. http://helping.apa.org/warningsigns/reasons.html
17. http://www.encourageyouth.on.ca
18. http://cbc.ca